The VQ Newsletter Archive
|
|
|
Creativity,
Healing
& Shamanism: Workshop
|
Hello Creatives;I hope winter's hibernation has left you bursting with new growth. Now, in keeping with the season, I will spring right into this newsletter. Stand At The Steep WaterFew things hold our attention like moving water. When sitting beside a mountain stream or the surging dance of ocean surf, we ourselves become a pool of tranquillity. A few years ago I had the privilege to visit Foz do Iguacu, a waterfall located on the borders Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The grandeur and grace of the falls astonish; its exotic flora and fauna complete the enchantment. A few days ago, perhaps to refresh the fond memory, I watched a favorite film in which I first saw the falls. While I viewed, my imagination could transport me again to that tranquil inner pool. As I let my thoughts float freely, a fresh perspective unfolded from the familiar story. The MissionWhen a grand story gets under your skin it leads to all sorts of insights and ideas. Great creations inspire others. "The Mission" got under my skin several years ago and each time I see it I am inspired anew. The story takes place in central South America (the land above the falls), at the time of Spanish and Portuguese colonization. As in the same historical period in North America, many wrongs befell the tribal peoples at the hands of the colonists. The main characters in the film provoke me with each viewing, a Jesuit Priest (Jeremy Irons), and a mercenary slave trader (Robert Deniro). I'll not tell the story so you may enjoy the movie for yourself; but, I will reveal the fragment that inspired these thoughts. In one scene, the Priest comes to a prison cell that now houses the slave trader. The mercenary is despondent from his recent deed. The moment defines a transformation they would both encounter. The dialog unfolds to the following exchange. (Irons) "Do you have the courage to choose your penance?" (Deniro replies) "Do you have the courage to see it fail?" So what has this to do with creativity (besides being a great movie), you ask? Well, for one thing personal transformation is a very creative task. A task we can't escape. However, what strikes me is how well these characters represent the duality we face within ourselves during the creative act. The idealist versus the material pragmatist, our light versus shadow sides if you will. They play out on many levels. The idealist challenges the pragmatist; Can you bear the frustration? The pragmatist retorts; Can you bear to fail? Each part of ourselves brings its strength and weakness into the process. Like yin/yang they oscillate during the creative incubation. As Rollo May wrote, it takes courage to create. At times creating comes easily. We go with the flow and pour out ideas. Before reaching that point however, the incubation of ideas is often fraught with trials and doubts we must endure, with inner conflicts that must resolve. These two characters demonstrate this conflict again as they climb the falls. Irons' idealism spurs him to go to the indigenous peoples living above the falls. Deniro's climb is for another reason, to prove that his penance will not work. In the end, both must surrender their preconceptions. I vicariously strained through each struggling step and handhold. It seems a perfect representation of what each creative person goes through in the long climb from a project's beginning, to the point where creation flows. Before one can ride the current, a creator must brave the cascade and climb with strength. They too must overcome resistance and make their stand at the steep waters. User Comments:As promised, this month I am including user comments. People submitted the following comments in the guest book and by email. As you will see, each uses VQ in a different way...all the better I say. Thank you all for your compliments (which I humbly pass along), and your willingness to contribute. ---------- Abe Thomas, a recent acquaintance sent me one of your CD's. Abe is one of those individuals with whom you automatically feel a kinship. As if you have know one another before, or for a long time. Our philosophy is somewhat similar and he felt that I would appreciate the CD. Well, Abe was correct. I use it in the mornings through my PC and it sets the state of relaxation and centeredness for both my secretary and me. Thank you for your humanity. Scott R. Plischke ---------- Dear Carlisle: I believe as you do, that we are all innately creative........it is the very heart and soul of what we are. I have come to discover, that during early childhood development, many people have their natural creativity stifled or diminished in some way. Unfortunate, for then it becomes a life struggle to have this natural state of being re-established in one's personal belief system. I have found that by integrating your CD into many of my counseling sessions, it gives my clients a new sense of creativity within themselves that doesn't follow the lines of their old beliefs. They discover that there's another level of creative energy that was not available to them before entering into the meditation with the CD. The feedback I get from them is that they are able to see things from a different perspective and this makes problem solving and new ideas more accessible. They say they feel different about themselves and what they can accomplish. I use the CD myself when I wish to enter deep levels of mind.
These deeper levels connect me with my inner wisdom and I know this is where I can access
any information I may be seeking at the time. Very effective. As far as healing is concerned, I believe that every person has within him/her, the "master healing element". In order to tap into one's own personal healing levels, many factors have to be considered. The main one, is the quiet voice within. No better way to do this than through deep meditation and that's the greatest benefit that the CD brings to it's listener. I have been told by many of my clients, that the CD helps to produce the deepest state of meditation/relaxation that they have yet to experience. Quite a feat. Combine this state of mind with the hands-on healing techniques that I use in my sessions, and we have a wonderful synergistic combination to accelerate the individual's healing processes. I use it often for that purpose. Feel free to include any of the above comments in your publications and if there is any way I can be of assistance to you, don't hesitate to contact me. Warm Regards, Sandi Lee ----------------------- Carlisle: I want to tell you what I have gained from the purchase of your CD and the sharing of your expertise, education, experience and broad knowledge. Your insight and knowledge has helped me to connect my sense of spirituality with grounded "reality" in such a way that is so clear - it's impossible to ignore. Give the guy credit where credit is due ... (You're the man - please don't be too humble and not post this compliment... you deserve it wholeheartedly!) I'm convinced the world is in a tremendous hunger-stage right now for God. All of the left-brained fast-paced rush=rush movement of society has accelerated this hunger. You are one of the dudes who has been able to bridge the gap between the conscious, factual left-brained 'KNOWING' of God's work in the world with the unknown, highly ambiguous side he likes to keep a mystery. My favorite author, Wayne Dyer (father of motivation with boo-koo-zillion multiple graduate degrees, too) is another undercover angel. I'm not sure if you've read some of his work, but one of his overriding statements repeated in his books is that the universe is 'one-song'. I find this synonymous with harmony. People (ordinary folks...) who have come to the knowledge (conscious, contemplated, ponderous knowledge) of the interdependency and connectedness of all things understand God and his plan. Most of these folks are coming to big-time-visibility in the world today because of the internet - making the world much, much smaller. Religions, belief systems and history are all being analyzed side by side, comparing, contrasting - making it easy to chronicle the history of the world, and what has worked and not worked with societies across the world. We're entering a time of great uncertainty - fast change - quick pace. Your studies of how the brain "tunes" to harmony is knowledge that is serving the world well. I've stayed cut off from a lot of my favorite music lately and noticed the change when I used your CD. As far as creative imagery goes, I've seen it work in my life, and I prefer not to go into specifics for one simple strong reason: I think, and feel deep down that God wanted some degree of ambiguity and in this mystery - is how we reach out to him/her, keep reaching out (from all walks of life in all societies, many colors, many religions, many backgrounds) - keep evolving and changing with the world as to assure the protection of creation here. Maybe this is a little deep... but somehow, I feel you'll understand and fully comprehend it. Keep the peace... keep the faith, and above all - keep creating & teaching! Many Hugs and warm wishes from Boca Raton, Wesley Huber NEWSLETTER ADMINISTRATION;Please remember. 1) This not a "bulk email" mailing. If you are receiving this writing, it is because you have signed our Guest Book, bought our product, are our link partner, a good friend, or have communicated with us in some other way. There are a few exceptions whose names have been added along with others from some mailing we share. I maintain this list by hand. Any multiple copies you received result either from my error, or you have entered your name multiple times in our drawing and I have failed to catch it. I apologize for any inconvenience and hope you will continue to participate. 2) I still do this the old fashioned way -- by hand! If you don't want to receive our newsletter, just send me a note and I will groom the list. Please don't sign up each month and then repeatedly ask me to remove you from the list. It's too much work. The goal here is to build a community of creative folks, not make "email enemies." For those who do not know, I hold the drawing from the previous months Guest Book entries about the 1st. of each month. One winner is selected from the US, and one from the International submissions. The winners receive a free copy of our latest release and our thanks. YES, you can enter again each month, and many of you have, but ONLY ONCE PER MONTH. Please let me know in the comments that you already receive this mailing so I don't bombard you with multiple copies of this newsletter. Also, I am in the chat room on Tuesday Nights from 9 PM (US Central Time) to answer any question about Vantage Quest or what ever is on the group's mind. AND THE FEBRUARY WINNERS ARE:International: Congratulation Diane and Arvind! Your CD's have been mailed. I hope you enjoy them. This month the person who made the most referrals came in an
unusual way that seemed to be synchronistic with the scene I wrote about above. Lauren O.
Thyme sent me her newsletter in which she mentioned that an inmate at the Colorado State
Prison would benefit by receiving books for self discovery. Since I have for the past
several years done therapy with inmates, I thought this was a good chance to reach behind
the walls in a new way. So, I sent a copy to James Woodson in prison. I also liked the
idea so much that I sent Lauren a copy as well to thank her. Lauren has a unique travel
site to some very interesting places by the way. You can visit it at: http://www.sacredtravel.com/. That's it for this time. Next newsletter will be sent in June. Why not do some dreaming! Regards, Carlisle |
|
|
